SEPCO's blog on all things renewable and green

Solar energy has made its mark on this world in terms of protecting our homeland. It is a market that would be different if solar was not a viable option to carry out the tasks and duties necessary keep our homeland safe. Solar energy is used on many military bases for various purposes. One main purpose is to have a secondary security source to the electrical grid. The electrical utility grid only offers one source of electricity for the bases to function, if that fails, the security of the facility is at risk. Solar and other renewable sources are being used as primary and secondary sources to increase our grid security.

Many federal facilities are also doing their part to protect our homeland from environmental factors that can have negative affects on the people and the environment. The right steps are being set in motion to reduce our dependency on foreign oils and CO2 emissions. All federal facilities have been mandated to reduce their energy consumption and many are choosing to do so by offsetting the electrical loads by generating their electricity from clean solar energy.

Our water treatment facilities, mining industries, and chemical facilities are also using solar technologies to create security through the addition of solar power lighting, solar power security cameras and motion sensors- the likes of which will work completely independent of the electrical grid.

Solar is also used to protect our troops on the forward operations of our wars. Smaller flexible solar cells provide small amounts of power for satellite cell phones, and other small electronic devices such as GPS. At the Forward Operating Bases deployable solar wind and back up generator systems can be towed along with the military vehicles for stand by ready power generation. Remote solar perimeter security lighting and stand alone remote power systems reduce the need for infrastructure and underground wiring.

Far beyond security matters, solar technology is also being used with great success as a humanitarian aid. In 1961 John F. Kennedy issued an Executive Order designed to offer assistance to developing countries and aid in disaster relief. Solar energy is a key component in that it is readily available and can be shipped out and installed in the same day thus providing street and area lighting and remote power to underdeveloped countries as well as in areas hit hard by devastating effects of natural disasters and war. Indeed, solar power and lighting was used extensively in the efforts to help rebuild war-torn areas within Afghanistan and Iraq as well as in Haiti following the devastating earthquake.

In the final analysis, solar does far more than create electricity—it provides protection for our Homeland and fosters humanitarian aid, peace and hope abroad.